toniinafrica

Patrick's visit

2008-11-04T21:33:00.000-08:00

I can't tell you how wonderful it was to see Patrick here at our little rural church. It was amazing to open my home & football field! :-)

Last day at the school and teacher dinner

2008-07-11T22:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a fantastic ending to the two weeks at the school. I went into the standards 1-8 and got them to sing a song so that I could put it into GarageBand and then I showed them the pictures from the safari. They really enjoyed it, as did I. We had to leave around 1:00 because everyone else had to pack for their trek to Tanzania. It went by SO fast! I was the last one on the bus because the students were wanting my email address. It was heartbreaking leaving. It was a long way back to the Methodist Guest House. I spent the time reflecting on what I had seen, heard and what I can do to help there in the future.

When we got back here, it was showers and getting ready for dinner. Since almost all of the teachers live in either Mathare or Kibera (another slum), we wanted to get them to dinner early so they would not have to travel in the slums so late at night. We got to the African restaurant around 4:30. We waited and waited for the teachers to arrive. They were late because they had to wait for the teachers who went with the students to the competition. I haven’t spoken much about the competition because I decided not to go. I kind of regret that decision because I did not get to share in the joy when our students took several 1st places and get to go to nationals!!! The competitions were every day for different groups each day. The students would walk up to the competition grounds about 3 Km away. The secondary did take a bus yesterday because the grounds were farther away. Frances, the music, math and P.E. teacher all in one, told us how well the children did! It was great to hear.

This restaurant was really unique! It had different little open air “huts” for dinner parties to sit in. They placed us in a long shelter. There were beautiful flowers everywhere and a playground.

We were so large – 21 visitors and ALL the teachers and staff came! 29 of them. It was so wonderful that they all made the sacrifice of time with their families to come to dinner! They are at the school from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at least. Most of them have to travel a long time to get to the school. That doesn’t leave a lot of time with family. It was great to see all of them.

Helen came up with a great idea – an ice breaker if you will. Joy explained that we were to ask our partner – a teacher questions. What is an interesting fact about yourself? What is your dream? What is your calling to MCC? Things like that.

Penina sat beside of me. Her smile is so contagious. She is so beautiful inside and out. It was great getting to know her. We quickly found that we had a lot in common and that we were truly sisters or dada in Swahili. She milks a cow in the a.m. and p.m. just like I used to. She could not believe that I knew how to milk a cow and that I used to train horses. We laughed and talked all evening. It was great. We did discuss many deeper things like slums in the U.S., politics, violence and many other subjects. She lost a son to pneumonia but now has a daughter that is 2. Penina glows when she speaks of her daughter, Noreen and husband, Moses. Even though I wish I would have gotten to know the teachers better the first week, that was the best way to end our week!

Well, we have had many adventures while we were here. I must say though, the trip has been pretty smooth. There were some exceptions like the trip home from Ester’s family as well as the bus ride home last night. We did not get to leave until late because the bus had to go get a leaky hose fixed….should have been the first clue. Peter came and picked us up for the bus ride home. About half way home, Joy says frantically but firmly, there is a fire get off the bus. We could see the smoke, but then I looked towards the driver and saw the flames. You have to understand that the traffic here is completely crazy. People will cut you off honk horns, go around you even if it means running through a sidewalk, you get the picture. We are in the middle lane and people start going around on the left side of the bus (they drive on the opposite side of the road from us). Joy waited patiently with me for 2 cars and then just stepped out in front of a car and said STOP. She stood there while everyone crossed to the side of the road. Well, it was really dark and I went to the side of the road first and turned around to see if the bus had caught completely on fire yet, but as I turned my foot slid and I ended up in a mudhole downhill. I just cringe to think of what was in that water. So I washed my feet A LOT and my flipflop when we got back. Bethany took a picture of my foot! YUCK!

The funniest thing was when Peter , who is very shy and humble, was laughing at us and told us everything was okay and we could get back on the bus. He was talking on the phone to someone and I said he is probably laughing at all these Mzungu – which is what the Kenyans call white people which means something that goes round and round in a circle! J We definitely lived up to our name! We giggled the whole way home.

Last day at the school

2008-07-11T12:20:00.000-07:00

What a day! I cannot get over it that today was the last day that I will see the teachers and students of the Mercy Care Centre. I think because I went early all this week and had the opportunity to get to know many of the students and teachers this week, I feel that last week I wasn’t as effective. Teaching this week was a lot of fun. I would like to have some more time at the MCC! It has gone by too quickly even though I miss my sons and husband very much. The love and kinship I feel with the teachers and students are great in quantity and quality. I admire these teachers so much for the trouble they have personally seen as well as helping the students deal with the trauma they have gone through. When you hear the students’ stories, it is very difficult to believe they still have the drive and determination to stay in school and study hard for a better life in the future. The teachers are remarkable in their belief in the students and the community to make it better. The community around MCC has been a large support system through the violence.

This morning, I went early again. When we got there they were starting the morning assembly. The students were raising the flag. The light was beautiful. It was truly a gorgeous site to start off the last day. Then there was an assembly. The scouts marched. The children sang. It was really cool.

I will write more in the morning including our great dinner tonight with the teachers. We don’t have to get up in the morning. YIPPPEEE! The rest of the group are leaving for Tanzania early in the morning. I kind of wish I was going, but I can’t imagine being away from David and the boys for another week! The principal is going to take me, Bethany, Megan, John, Joy, Clare and Anni to an elephant orphanage, lunch and tour around Nairobi. Talk to you in a morning. :-)

Ester's Family visit

2008-07-10T11:30:00.000-07:00

What an incredible day. I spent the first part of the day finishing my math lesson! Yes, Harvey, I was teaching math - as scary as that might be! :-) It was fun. I was using video and podcasts again. I learned today that the other classes have been asking where is that lady that has been carrying that thing! Everyone wants to see it. It has been fun.

After my math lesson, I had an experience that I don't know if I can talk about in detail yet. I was in the class and started asking simple questions about the children and recording it on my ipod. Then I went to the backrow and asked a group of boys if they had any questions for me. They started asking about school and how long it took to get your doctorate. They asked if there were any slums in the US and what they were like. They asked if there were people without shoes, food, etc. So, we were tlaking a while and then they just opened up and for 45 minutes talked about the violence and what they had seen. They say at night it is still scary because they lay away and listen to make sure no one is coming. I will try to write more about this later. I just can't do it right now.

In the afternoon, Bethany, Megan, Carroll and I went out north of Nairobi about 1 1/2 hours. It was beautiful farm land. Carroll has a friend in the US and her sisters, brother and parents still live here. They had invited us for tea. Well it wasn't just tea, it was a full blown meal HUGE! They live on a shamba (farm). It was beautiful there. It really looked like a mix of Hawaii and California farm land. THere was even a patch of evergreens. As we approached the house, we saw a group of zebras just grazing out in the middle of a field. Then we saw some boys playing soccer with a group of donkeys in the middle of their field. It was pretty cool!

As we approached the drive, the father was standing out to greet us. He smiled SO big. As we turned in the whole family was there cheering and smiling. It was beautiful. The reception and graciousness of these people are incredible! As soon as I stepped out of the car, I got VERY big hugs and they introduced themselves and I felt a familiar touch after the past two weeks. A little hand put in mine and squeezing to not let go. One of the youngest, Kenton, had attached himself to me, just like the little ones at the school do every morning and all day long. He sat on my lap, held my hand, played with my hair band, anything. He did not want to leave my side. It was great. Their house was simple but huge compared to the ones in the valley. They had several cows, a corn field, a dog, chickens. I felt like I was home. :-)

I want to answer some questions I have gotten, and I am getting very tired since I have been getting up at 5:45 a.m. the past couple of mornings so I can get more work done than if I come on the bus with the others who get there about 9:30. I will try to finish the Ester family story tomorrow.

Questions -
Do the children wear uniforms? Yes they do. The school colors are navy for the babies through class 8 and burgandy and gray for form 1 & 2 (high school). There is also a Mercy Care sewing school to help some of the girls who won't finish high school and go to the university to get skills. They make most of the uniforms.

They seem to wear tshirts for different teams? There is someone form Virginia I think that donates the screenprinting and charges a small fee for the tshirts every year. The different colors are only used as teams for the game day which is only held once a year.

How do they keep them so clean and bright? We just gave them to them one week ago, but I must say, people work very hard in an extremely dirty place to keep sidewalks, their floors, and clothes, and especially their shoes clean. It is very common to see people taking a rag or brush and cleaning off their shoes.

What language do they speak there? Swahili is the common language. MOst tribes have their own. But English and Swahili are the most common. It is interesting the children that have been at MCC for several years have quite good English. They really young ones and the newer students have more of a difficult time speaking and understanding.

What kinds of foods do they eat? They have a sweet potato that is yellow and not orange. They grow the sweetest bananas here you have ever tasted. Ray and I fight over them! :-) We have pineapple and watermelon here at the guest house every morning. Plus toast, beans (like the English), bacon, sausage(doesn't taste like home) and porridge. At the school, the students who can have porridge for breakfast, then a soup like for lunch that is maze, beans, some meat. The students look so much healthier than I remember seeing a couple of years ago in pictures. And that is because of the food and there is now a nurse at the school. The board is hoping to start a vitamin program.

Ugali (also sometimes called sima or posho) is a cornmeal product and a staple starch component of many African meals. I am not a huge fan of this. They use cabbage a lot because it is not very expensive.

We eat at the guest house in the am. and for dinner and at the school we usually have rice and ugali and fruit and some type of meat or greens. They have been very gracious!

Who have been taking care of you guys? The principal insures that we are safe. one of the schools helpers gets us water and occasionally soda from the street vendors. We have a bus (not a typical american bus) that comes to get us every morning (I have been going early with the principal in an Isuzu trooper) and the bus brings us back each afternoon. Wayne and Carroll, Bethany's parents have been in charge of making all the arrangements for everything.

Where are you sleeping?showers?bathrooms? We are staying at a Methodist Guest House. It is between a youth hostil and a lower end hotel. We have our own bathroom (I am rooming with Megan and Bethany).

How can we continue to support the school once you return? I will have lots of specific things that we are talking with the principal about right now and then larger more general things as well when I return.

How are the parents responding? It has been really cool. Now that I get their earlier, I am seeing some of the parents dropping their kids off. They have smiles and even linger for a few minutes. It is pretty cool!

What religion is the area exposed to? Christian, Hindu, Muslim, just about anything we are.........

Hope this helps.

Wednesday at the school

2008-07-09T07:02:00.000-07:00

I feel like I have been doing all sorts of things over the last week and 1/2, so today I concentrated on teaching all day. I worked with 5th grade on decimals and fractions. I showed them a video and they were completely amazed! I had speakers so everyone could hear. There was a goofy kind of guy on the video being silly. They ate it up! It was great. They barely moved. I did the NTTI method with stopping the video and keeping the kids engaged. But, that wasn't hard! They were so into it.

Next I went into the 1-3rd grades and worked with Bethany and Carroll on the hungry catepillar and craft. WOW! that was a little much. There were 125 students in one long room. It was pretty impossible to keep them focused.

Chad thanks for the comment! Today after lunch we had our first "official" tennis lesson. They had played around some before, but today was "game day" and we set up the net and I got the teachers to demonstrate the proper grip and some simple exercises. Then I got them to teach some students. There were around 100 students out there playing. It was chaotic but lots of fun! They loved playing. The P.E. teacher and I then took on the principal and one of the Aussie's. It was lots of fun!

You can see the principal is pretty good! I challenged him to a match at another time! He is the one in the white shirt with blue athletic pants.

Mom, thanks for getting the kids to leave me messages. :-) I loved them!

Gabe - I hope you have a good time camping. I can't wait to get home and show you all my cool pictures and see how much I you have grown. I love you!

Grayson - I hope you have kept up your happy face & no grumpies!! I love you & can't wait to see you!

David- I love you and miss you! I can't wait to see you!!

THOUGHTS

2008-07-08T12:30:00.000-07:00

You know I have been trying to process everything I have been seeing over the last week and 1/2. I think it is pretty impossible. There is really no way I can tell you how unreal the poverty is and at the same time how beautiful the people are. This has been the most rewarding experience and mission that I have ever been a part of. The school children have given me so much more than I have given them.

David, Gabe and Grayson, I miss you so much. Every thing that I experience, I think how much I wish you were here with me. David the boys would be thrilled to talk to you about your job and help you make shelves, desks, and anything else. Gabe, I know the students would be as interested in you as they are in Megan. They want to know what your school is like and all the things you like to do at home. But, mostly they just want to play. Grayson, there are plenty of little ones that you could sing for! Thank you so much for supporting me on this trip. I know this has not been easy on you guys….you just can’t live without me! J But seriously, I truly appreciate you giving me this opportunity.

I hope everyone has enjoyed seeing the pictures. I wish there was a way that I could bottle the atmosphere and love that is beaming throughout this school. Most of the community mothers and fathers now smile when they see the bus coming through town unlike the stares that we got this first week. That makes you feel good.

The doctors held their clinic today. I don’t know how many kids they saw but I will try to find out. They were surprised just as I was as to how healthy most of the children are. The Feed the Children program has done wonders for their health as well as the education from the teachers about what they need to eat and what malnutrition can do to their body.

The students will be given a baggie of gifts this week. That was made possible partly by the donations of my church, Mt. Pisgah UMC and my dad’s church, Memorial Baptist. Through their support we were able to ship things over here that would have cost too much over here for us to buy each student something. We brought 42 extra bags. Those were packed with supplies for the students. There are pencils, erasers, math tools, soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste and I am not sure what else. We filled the bags the first night and I have forgotten.

Thanks to so many people that helped make this trip possible and allowed me to bring all the wonderful things to enrich these children’s lives.

Tomorrow I will be teaching in the morning and doing tennis in the afternoon. Then, Thursday teaching again and Friday they will be putting on a show for us and that evening we are taking the teachers out to dinner. I am really excited about that.

MORE PICS FROM THE SCHOOL

2008-07-08T11:19:00.000-07:00

Today we took 240 kids on 3 buses - they sat 4 to a seat. Did they complain or fuse? No. Instead that sang in four part harmony all the way there! It was chillingly beautiful! They enjoyed the animal orphanage. One of the things that is so different here is that kids are very independent. There is very little interference with trying to herd kids along until necessary. They are not asked to be quite unless necessary. They are not kept in small groups on outings like our children would be. At the games the other day 2 little kids walked out the gate and came back a few minutes later. They are very independent. It is definitely different. So, while we were at the orphanage, they were walking pretty freely everywhere which wasn't bad because we were the only school group in the area at the time.

The cheetah is the one animal we did not get to see on the safari, so at least we saw one that had been rescued at the animal orphanage!

One thing I love to see is how the older brothers and sisters take care of the little ones. No matter if they are on the street or at school. It is cool to watch!

Tina, Thanks so much for your comment. I love getting comments! It makes me feel good.

home again home again

2008-07-07T13:01:00.000-07:00

Well, we are back at the Methodist Guest House. We had a good dinner tonight....spaghetti! :-) My favorite.

We went on our last safari this morning. But first let me tell you about night last evening. We were getting ready to go on our evening safari when I heard all this hooping and hollering up the way. I get up there and one tent has been "broken into" by the monkeys. They stole George's candy bar and scattered peanuts everywhere. Hey guys, I bet you won't leave your tent unzipped again! Right outside on our porches we have seen baboons, elephants and monkeys. Our meals are guarded by the Maasai warrior so the birds and monkeys would leave us alone while we ate under the shade of bamboo and fig trees. I have to say mty only complaint was that the beds were as hard as cement.

We all really needed this weekend to process all that we had seen last week. We feel refreshed and energized to head back to the school tomorrow. I'll be taking around 60 preschoolers to the animal orphanage with Bethany, Megan, Miriam, Mama Carroll and Bwana Brown (Wayne) and George. After we get back, we will start with tennis lessons.

This weekend was amazing. We were still surrounded by thoughts and concerns of the mercy care centre. We talked a lot about this coming week and trying to accomplish as much as possible. We were on the way back to Nairobi when we stopped at a filling station. There was a young boy probably a bit older than Gabe who was begging for us to give him something. Well, Patrick, the principal of the school, was with us and he gave the little boy a lecture on begging and going to school. So, our response to the little boy every time he wanted money was that we could not because he had missed school. He really did not know how to act.

I got to talk to David and the boys tonight. It was great to see then on video. I miss them terribly!

Will try to post more pics tomorrow night.

Good night. ~toni

1st day of Safari

2008-07-07T07:27:00.000-07:00

Well, when you thought this trip could not become any more memorable, you leave for Safari. On the way, the road was bumpy and scary, but beautiful at the same time. We saw a huge group of people lining the road as we were coming down into the Rift Valley which leads to the Serengeti Plain. There were hundreds of people sitting along the guard rail. When we got in the curve and looked down a huge truck had gone over the side. They were manually walking up probably 100 pound bags of something. It was amazing. We stopped at an overlook and it reminded me of the Caribbean because there were crafts people coming up and saying, “come take a look….take a look.” It was intimidating. But, I did not buy anything. Carroll did buy the sweetest bananas I have ever tasted, though.

Then we went on down through the valley. We stopped in Naruk for Samosas – we got 40 vegetable and beef ones. They are like fried turnovers with meat or veggies inside. They have some spice to them, so you know I liked them. The toilets actually had a toilet instead of a hole in the floor like at the stadium. It was quite interesting. The town was very busy and the road (if you want to call it) was pretty crazy. There were beautiful colors of laundry everywhere below the little café where we got the Samosas. The women were in the river doing their wash. It was really a pretty cool site.

We also saw Masai tribesmen bathing the in river out in the country side. Sorry, I did not get a photo of that! J

The Masai were all along the road. It was so beautiful because you were basically looking at mud huts(made from cow dung so the termites would not come in), brown straw grass waving and dark trees, then out of no where you will see this beautiful read show up. There will be a Masai guarding his cattle, goats, or sheep. The women might be carrying water on their heads with bands which is really a site. The colors were just beautiful. I really want to find a blanket or cloth like they wear to bring home. It is incredible. Mom, kind of like the beauty you saw in Guatamala.

As we left the Rift Valley and headed towards the game park, the driver, Stephen, would tell us what we should look for in that part. I was so excited to try to spot something, even though the trip was about 5 hours, I could not close my eyes to rest. If I had, I would have just ended up with a sore spot on my head. The roads were really rough and they say they have gotten so much better! YIKES!

The first animal to be spotted was by Bethany. She saw a beautiful young giraffe standing under a Acaicia tree. It was a thrill! It was so graceful.

By then my cheeks were hurting because of the smiling. Little did I know that would just be the first of 30 animals!!!

Black horn billed stork
Thompson Giselle
Ostrich
Giraffe
Antelope
Impala
Water Buffalo
Wart hog
Hienna
Grant’s Giselle
Topi
Secretary Bird
Heron
Mailbu Stork
Guinea Fowl
Zebra
Striped Mongoose
Baboon
Monkey
Wilder Beast
Water buck
Bat eared Fos
Hartabeast
Lion more than 12
Red neck spur fowl
Serval cat
Retro brown bustard
Vulcher
Owl
1 kill of a leapord

So, tonight while I am sitting here in this beautiful bed surrounded by mosquito net feeling quite like I am in the movie “Out of Africa” there are so many sounds outside that are uncanny and unreal to listen to.
The place we are staying at is really cool. This afternoon as soon as we got here there was a baboon on the other side of the river from our front porch, which overlooks the river and is right on the river bank. After we came back from Safari, there was an elephant drinking water out of the river. There are monkeys everywhere. It really doesn’t seem real!

The roads were really slick black mud because it rained for the past 3 days which is completely unheard of in July in Africa. It rained on much of our late afternoon safari, but none of us really minded. The van slid all over the place. It was a little scary. One of our 3 vans did get stuck and some of our group had to get out and push.

It was all worth it after seeing a lion pride that had at least 12 females and 1 king! It was so cool. They were all just taking a nap.

I have thought of the kids so many times today. I really miss them. I can’t wait until we get back on Tuesday.

****Yesterday when it was time to leave the valley, I really did not want to go so I was joking with the other girls and said, “No, I’ll just stay here.” They knew I was kidding but beamed at the idea that I really did not want to leave. It was a great moment between the me and the girls.

Safari

2008-07-04T20:12:00.000-07:00

We are leaving at 7 a.m this morning (Saturday) (midnight your time) to go on safari. There is no internet there, so I will not be posting again until Monday morning your time. HOpe to get some good pictures to share. Hope my harddrive will hold out! ;-) Love to you all. Thanks for sharing my journey with me.

The valley

2008-07-04T11:47:00.000-07:00

You know I think the thing that is amazing about the valley is to look at the street which deadends at the school you can see all of the trash. But, look closely at the sidewalks. They work very hard using water and a "broom" that is long stiff sticks and bound at the top to move the mud away.
In the other picture you can see just a small section of the slums with the tightly knitted tin roofs. If you look to the left of the street you will see some dirt. that is where some of the homes were burned during the riots/violence after the election which started in December.

I know that we must be careful, but I have felt safer here than I have felt in some places in the U.S. I guess you can contribute that to Patrick and the work he does to create a stable place for the children.

Sorry these pictures are so small, but if I don't make them small, it takes forever to upload. I will do a show when I get home! :-)

GAME DAY

2008-07-04T08:05:00.000-07:00

Today was incredible. The games were a beautiful sea of yellow, green, blue and red. It was amazing to know that these children worked so hard in everything they do whether it is learning or sports. More and more kids opened up to me. They held my hand and smiled at me. They were so much fun! It was great to see the community come out in support of the kids. This is an annual event. Parents even raced at the end of the day.

The end did not come until 2:30 or 3:00.

Thinking that most of these kids had not had breakfast, we were in the hot sun. (Well the visitors and parents could sit under this stadium). I of course did not because you can't get as good of pictures under there! ;-) I have only taken about 1500 so far. I just don't want to forget any of my experience!!!!!!

This has been a wonderful yet emotionally exhausting event that will forever live in my heart.

Speaking of heart........on the way back to the school, several of us decided to walk back to the school with the students. That is a decision I will NEVER regret! A few hundred yards after we left, a young girl was carrying her little brother and had gotten tired. She put him down. So, I asked him if he wanted me to carry him. He reached for my hand

I carried him through the valley. The thing about it is he actually made me feel safer. We walked through small ally ways and through side streets to get back to the school. We passed through vendors selling all kinds of things. There were many beauty salons, potato vendors, bananas, “scratch tickets” and other things in these small shacks. It was quite intimidating walking through because it was very close quarters, but just like at the school, if there was a small child especially, and you smiled at the mother in appreciation for the beauty of their child, she would beam. So, I smiled a lot, because there were many beautiful children.

I tried to take in as much as possible, because it is not really safe to take pictures in the valley. It is different around the school where they are happy you are there and understand who you are. My eyes could not keep up with everything around me. My heart could not process things fast enough either!

When we arrived at the school the kids were still on a high from the great day we had. This little girl came up and handed Clare a piece of candy. My eyes and Clare’s as well started to water. She tried to refuse it, but did not want to insult the girl. This is a very hospitable and gracious society. Then this little girl handed me one as well. Being completely overwhelmed by the day and the walk through the valley, I could not hold it together any longer! Tears started streaming down my face faster than I could wipe them away. When the bus arrived, Bethany looked out the window and mouthed, “Are you okay?” Well, I was okay, physically. But I don’t think I will ever recover from the sites, sounds and smells of this experience. And I don’t mean that in a bad way. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me to make me realize how great my life is and how much more I could give, not just in money, but also emotionally. These children love that they have gotten shoes. They love that they have gotten t-shirts and have a meal at the school, but the thing they cherish the most is when I call them by name. And those of you that know me, know that is a HUGE challenge for me. But, I try really hard!!!!!!!

I met a girl named Liz today and I told her that was my mom’s name. She beamed. Alex and I bantered back and forth over who’s team was going to win. He was green. I was yellow. He won; we came in 3rd (out of four).

When we got back to the school, Clare and I decided to get the jump ropes she and I had bought at a local toy store after seeing the children try to jump rope with string. You would never know that $5 could bring so much joy. These were large jump ropes that you can double Dutch with. Even though it was close to 4:00, the students did not want to go eat. They wanted to continue jumping. But, the teachers insisted and we apologized for interrupting. They said no worries of course. The students were very concerned that the jump ropes being taken care of and decided on which student should take them in!

The way back was yet another adventure. Our driver Peter is incredible. The driving around here is Northern VA without lines on the road! I am not kidding!!! Sometimes in the mornings there are 3 lanes of traffic going one way and sometimes there are 7 lanes of traffic where there should be 4. It was quite scary. Joy and I keep wondering why we continue to sit in the front of the bus, because we are on the edge of our seats watching people swerve in front of us and cut of off and come so close I can touch the other vehicle without putting my arm out the window…I am not kidding!!

Anyway, we got stuck in traffic. Another similarity to NVA. We just sat. Peter actually turned off the bus. Then we went through these side streets and got stuck in another traffic jam. It was unbelievable, but Peter got us out safe and sound. Well, there was a hole in the roof and I got a little wet when it started dripping on my head. You think we have pot holes at home? NOPE! The ones here are bigger than our stew pot!

David is really going to be interested to see the pictures of how they build scaffolding. It is amazing!

Well, I have tried to write down as much as I could to show you and help me remember this incredible day. We have to get up very early in the morning to go on Safari. It is a 4-hour drive on very difficult roads.

Game Day

2008-07-03T22:22:00.000-07:00

I can't wait to begin today. We are having game day. Lots of relay races, parades, etc. I was hoping for an overcast day like yesterday. But, the sun is a blazing already. Hope it stays in the 70's or low 80's! It has been very pleasant every day here after the first day. But is has been cloudy everyday but the first day! :-) Will post pictures tonight.

Pride

2008-07-03T21:57:00.000-07:00

Pride can sometimes be a boastful thing. That is not what I mean here. Pride is being proud of who you are and who you can become. These pictures are examples of this beauty.

The principal lives by example of taking pride in your community and yourself. He is an incredible man. He is the man pictures holding the two "outsiders" or orphans hands. He makes sure that if their food is spilled or they haven't eaten the older children get them something. It is beautiful to watch. I wish that our schools were able to have the feeling of love and caring that these children feel and the pride for their school that I have seen here. It is very touching.

Now don't get me wrong. They are still children pushing in line and getting upset if someone hurts their feelings. But, the overall atmosphere is incredible.

Several of the children were cleaning their new shoes to get the mud off. I saw some children neatly folding their shirts that they were given on the first day. One mother told us that she wasn't going to wash it because last year it was stolen off of her line. Helen took some pictures of the MCC shirts hung up right off of the courtyard where the mother could keep an eye on them.

The ballet shoes made the girls beam with joy. It was beautiful to see!

Some of the group went around yesterday throughout the community. One comments that was made was the smells were overwhelming. The sewer ditch gets to be 8 feet deep. On Saturday the children have to clean it out and haul it away in buckets. But, there was fresh wash on the line near by and the wash was so clean smelling that it overtook the other smells. They work very hard.

Some of the girls were slipping paper in the bottom of their shoes so they would not get them dirty.

Games

2008-07-03T21:11:00.000-07:00

When there is not much for you to play with, it doesn't really stop your imagination. You just have to be a little more creative. Whether it is filling a small plastic container with dirt, rolling a wheel, playing a metal tube with a bolt or kicking a ball you have made out of trash and string. These children find joy in every corner!

One more thing!

2008-07-03T13:27:00.000-07:00

I just want to say how hard it is to watch the orphans being left alone. The first day there was a child much younger than Grayson jjust sitting on the sidewalk banging a rock against the cement. It was so hard not to scoop him up and love him.

Experiences

2008-07-03T12:42:00.000-07:00

Well, I have talked a lot about how things work at the school and I really want to show you the pictures. But, I think my mom would like to hear more about how I am actually doing! :-)

The first day I was completely overwhelmed by the students. I did not get to meet many of the teachers and we were so bombarded with so many requests, that we were really able to get organized. Each room we went into we got to hear the students sing. They were all smiling and very excited about us being there. They did a performance for us which was amazing even though I had a seat in the hot sun. It has only been in the 70s here but that day it must have been in the mid 80s.

The second day I did interviews in the morning which was really cool. The children really did not open up to me. I kind of wished I would have thought of different questions and waited until the second week because even after today, they really seemed to be more open with me. After lunch we set up the tennis net. They were thrilled. I gave some of them a quick lesson. It was so fun!

In the evenings we come back, shower, and go to dinner. Then we usually meet and everyone gets a chance to talk about their day. Bethany nor I are that people that cry that easily, but it is hard not to cry here. The kids are SO positive and happy and eager to learn even though their situation is such a far cry from our life. I told myself this would be a life changing experience before I came, but I did not have any idea how much it would change me!

Today, Bethany and I basically got off the bus and started directly to work. Neither of us had been able to get into the classrooms to teach much so we did "We're Going on a Bear Hunt." We almost decided not to do it last night because we did not know if they would know about bears or snowstorms. Believe me they got it. We had a big book in front of the room and did motions to go along with the songs. They ate it up! I even did it alone with the 4th graders in the afternoon and they loved it.

Then they read to me. They have incredible reading skills!

A funny thing happened. I walked through a classroom and saw a student reading a story, I asked what he was reading and he told me that it was about a man that could not leave the pot....no not the toilet, but the pot of food. I said what happens when you can't leave the pot alone. They said you get fat. I said like me.......you need to understand that they want to please and be polite and smile a lot. Their first response to almost anything is "yes." So, they kindly nodded and said "yes." I put my hands on my hips and said ,"WHAT!" They giggled and said, no no no!!! It was really funny!

One of the things that I heard over and over in the interview was how kind the teachers were. These men and women start work at 7 and end at 5!!! Then some stay over to help students with choir, drama and other outside interests! I won't be complaining anymore about my workload as a teacher!

In the afternoon the students set up the net and got out the racquets again. It was a great day of smiles and laughter. Then, When I was taking pictures of everyone playing soccer, this two Form 2 which is like 10th grade for us came over and said can we ask you some questions. I said yes. They took my arm and pulled me into their classroom of about 14 or so. They smiled and giggled and started asking me questions. They asked me where I was from and I said VA. I told them I grew up in North Carolina and then I moved to VA. This beautiful young women with a completely straight face said I was born in Mathare and then I moved to Mathare. Then everyone cracked up. They said they wanted to come to VA and they wanted my email address.

Every day I try to spend the evenings registering everything I have experienced. I feel so safe and loved at the school. It is amazing to think of what these children have suffered through and yet some of them continued to come to school even during the horrible violence back in December through March.

The teachers for the first two days fed us lunch. It was a great gesture, but I just hated to leave so much of the food when we were done, but most days the teachers did not eat until we left and then they ate. The food is pretty good here. We eat at the guest house every morning and evening.

Well, It is 11 now and after my complete lack of sleep last night, I have got to get to bed. PLEASE leave some comments. I would love to hear from you.

Closing, I want to thank David for supporting me in this mission. It has definitely been a blessing for me. I know it is not easy taking care of the boys alone, especially for two weeks. But I thank him and mom and Marylene and Lawrence for pitching in. Thanks to Tina for checking in and I am sure Mendy you did as well. I love being here and it is going to be very sad and with a heavy heart that I leave next week, but it has been very hard to think of the boys and David and know we have a long time before I will be home. I love you!

Good night.

Lunch Time

2008-07-03T11:47:00.000-07:00

Lunch time is really interesting to watch. Different classes take lunch at different times. They all get THEIR bowl, not just any bowl and I haven't figured out how they know the difference! All the bowls and cups are in plastic feed sacks. They take great care to wash out their bowls. Today I saw 3 girls washing their bowls. The first one got a bowl full of water and used her fingers to clean around in the bowl. Then, as she sloshed around the water, the other girls held theirs under the first girls bowl and caught the water coming out to clean their bowls. WOMEN AFTER MY OWN HEART! They were conserving water! :-)

Giraffes

2008-07-03T07:37:00.001-07:00

These animals were incredible! Bethany really liked their tongues. This was on Wed.

Smiles

2008-07-02T14:28:00.002-07:00

What a heart warmer seeing little children welcome you into town and follow you out!

My new friends

2008-07-02T14:13:00.000-07:00

These guys have only been at the school for 6 months. They came because they felt the teachers were more qualified and they wanted to learn computers and french. WOW! I asked them how they came to know about the school. They said they were passing by and saw the sign and investigated. They were impressed and since they want to go to the university, they wanted to go to a good school.

Classrooms

2008-07-02T14:07:00.001-07:00

I just can't believe how many students there are in each classroom. They are crammed together and don't complain. They are unbelievable how they were all sitting there studying while us and their teachers were all together. It was so awesome how much value they have for learning!

Our greeting committee

2008-07-02T12:05:00.001-07:00

Here Patrick, the principal, is asking why these boys aren't in school. They don't go to Mercy Care Centre, but Patrick wants them in school somewhere!

Ray is here showing these children pictures of themselves. The really young children don't know much English so they say "yes" and "how are you" a lot. But, when they see me, they say "Picture!" They want you to take their picture!

These children here are not part of the Mercy Care Centre, but they are fed breakfast and lunch and enjoy learning by what they pick up through windows and doors.

Performance pictures

2008-07-01T14:27:00.001-07:00

To my family

2008-07-01T14:25:00.000-07:00

Hi guys. I just wanted to let you know that I love you and I miss you terribly. It was great talking and seeing you tonight!!! I will try to get you a picture of a giraffe tomorrow! Gabe hope you are doing well and happy and enjoyed the baseball game. Grayson - no grumpy faces ok? :-) Love you!!!

The School

2008-07-01T14:13:00.000-07:00

Wishes and Day Dreams

2008-07-01T14:02:00.000-07:00

Even though this child isn't a "student" at the MCC, he can still learn through the windows as the others are taught!

Preschool Pics

2008-07-01T13:58:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of the very crowded preschool with their homemade educational posters. Doesn't this little girl have spunk! They all sang and clapped. It was incredible what these children can learn in this environment! Oh, by the way, Preschool starts at 6 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. There is a reason for this though..........the children of all ages are locked out of their homes during the day when their parents go off to work - in what ever capacity that might be and the children are left to fend for themselves until they come home. Mercy Care screens the children who apply to come to the school to make sure they have a parent, relative or a sponsor that will be sure they come to school regularly. It is truly an amazing environment!

Soccer

2008-07-01T13:55:00.000-07:00

Gabe, Here is what the boys were using as a soccer ball today!!

First Day at Mercy Care Centre

2008-06-30T11:57:00.001-07:00

Yesterday with all the travel and mess up with my carry on bag & 5 others, it was a really LONG 18 hours of traveling. But, it was all worth it. This morning we got on the bus and headed into the valley. You think by looking at pictures you can get a pretty good image of what it is like. But there is nothing that can prepare you for the VAST reaching arm of poverty here in Mathare Valley. We passed many thousands and thousands of shacks made of tin or cinder blocks. Each had its own purpose. There were motels, hair "salons", and even furniture makers.

David, they make their furniture from Cyprus or Teak. They were using hand planes because there is very little access to electricity in the valley.

Besides the shacks lining the road, you could peak down side dirt paths lined with trash and see the valley below and see a streaming line of tin roofs. It was an unbelievable site. We turned a corner and I can not describe the site. This time it was horrific, it was beautiful.

There was a sea of blue. No, not quite the ocean, but just as beautiful in site and sound! The children were lining the road to the school in their blue school uniforms and singing welcoming songs, bible songs and with the most beautiful voices I have ever heard. After the bus passed each group, the all followed the bus and continued to sing. I was completely overwhelmed. Once again the pictures can not describe the feeling, sites nor sounds anywhere near reality.

The school has improved SO much. The attendance is back up since the riots in the winter to 450. There are 100 preschool children in ONE room. But, the kids don't seem to mind even though they have to take a "nap" sitting at their desks with their heads down because their is not enough room for them to lay down.

Going from room to room, grade to grade was awesome. The preschool teachers have used plastic woven feed sacks that their food comes in from Feed the Children to make educational posters. They are very good with such rough materials!

I think the thing that amazed me the most was how happy every child seemed to be. Now don't get me wrong, there were true signs that they were just like our children in many ways. I saw two scuffling to be this first in line. But, to have no playground, no toys, few musical instruments - I'll get back to that in a minute, these children were genuinely happy to see us. It was amazing!

After we had given each child a t-shirt, been introduced to the some of the teachers and had chai tea, we were invited to go out to the schoolyard where they performed some amazing monologues, songs and dramas that they have won many awards for. There is truly some talented children at this school.

One step closer

2008-06-28T19:48:00.000-07:00

Today was extraordinarily difficult! I tried to not get too upset for Gabe's sake, but when he called after I had been gone about an hour and was crying so hard. It broke my heart. Hopefully he will be okay and enjoy the time with Daddy and all the special things he has planned. Grayson was not upset - he's a daddy's boy....He said, "Bye Mom." and fell asleep while he was watching The Waltons. Can't get much better than that! :-)

Tomorrow morning will be stressful trying to get 60 bags checked. Once we are though the security everything will be down hill!

Good night!

My last night at home

2008-06-27T21:09:00.000-07:00

Well, I tried sleeping and that did not work, so I thought I would jot down some words instead. Tonight was really sweet. I asked the both the boys to sing me a song as I tucked them in. Grayson sang Twinkle, Twinkle the Old McDonald. Gabe sang Away in the Manger. I should have recorded them on my iPod so I could listen to them on the trip. I might do that tomorrow. Neither of them noticed the tears streaming down my face as I read them their book. It was hard to think I won't be doing that for 14 nights!

David and I are going to be busy tomorrow trying to get all of those bags in my car! I wasn't thinking it would be any problem, but I forgot about my 2 carry ons and the tennis equipment bag!!!!

Bye for tonight. Going to try sleep one more time.

WOW!

2008-06-25T21:02:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to read my new message from Patrick, the lead teacher (principal) at Mercy Care Centre. His words definitely gave me a calming feeling as my heart and soul and excited and nervous at the same time about the nearing departure! The tennis bag is packed which is going to be so much fun for me to show these children the fun of tennis - guess that will be my Wimbledon this year! ;-)

Introductions

2008-06-19T07:39:00.001-07:00

Hi! I am Toni Sheets from Mount Sidney, Virginia. I got involved with the Mercy Care Centre through my friend Bethany Butcher when she worked in Augusta County. I have come to know and adore her entire family. It amazes me the things that can be accomplished when a need is known how people open up their hearts, shoe closets and even wallets to help another human in need. I hope that this trip will allow me to open my heart to the human race and God's children. It is these those little beings that are going to give me a completely new outlook on the world and life and why we are here on this Earth!

My family has supported me in amazing ways. My husband, David, my two sons, Gabe,7, and Grayson, 3, will be viewing the blogs and sending well wishes while the team is gone.

About me....I work for Augusta County Schools as an assistive technology resource teacher. Before that, I worked as an instructional technology resource teacher for 7 years and started my career as a classroom teacher. Hopefully my educational experience will help at the school. I am also taking some tennis equipment donated from our local tennis pro and tennis association. It will be fun to introduce a new sport to the students at Mercy Care Centre.

I am looking forward to the trip and the experiences to be had!